Baby Baboon Makes Public Debut At Oakland Zoo

Mimi, a baby baboon is seen with her mother in an enclosure at the Oakland Zoo. (Oakland Zoo)

OAKLAND (CBS SF) — The newest arrival at the Oakland Zoo was ready for her closeup Thursday.

A baby hamadryas baboon named ‘Mimi’ can now be seen daily by zoo visitors following her birth last Wednesday, according to the zoo.

In a press release, the Oakland Zoo said Mimi – which means “I am” in Swahili – is the third baby baboon born at the zoo in the last year and a half.

Zoological Manager Margaret Rousser said Mimi’s siblings will benefit by observing their troop interact with the new addition.

“This new baby is great because not only do we have parent raised baboons, but the other two youngsters are able to witness and participate in infant care, which will only make them better mothers in the future,” said Rousser.

Oakland Zoo has two troops of hamadryas baboons numbering 11 total. The animals are found in the wild in Ethiopia, Somalia, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.